Black Power Flashcards
What were the Watts riots?
1965 Watts Riots – black man arrested for drink driving. Aug 11 riots break out in Central South Los Angeles and stores are looted and burned with snipers navigating the roofs. Order on Aug 16th. $40 million in damage and 34 killed, 1000 police had to be on alert and MLK condemned riots wishing for this never to happen again. Rising fears of black militancy.
Outline the Black Power movement.
Black Power: represented celebration of Afro American culture and racial pride, drive for self reliance and freedom from white authority. Included Nation of Islam, Black Panther Party for Self Defence, black music such as James Brown and Diana Ross, ‘black is beautiful,’ and back to Africa which summed idea that African Americans had to return to Africa for equality.
What was Black Power’s moderate message?
Moderate message of Black Power: Black Power was wanted as property defined power in the United States, and so African Americans needed to gain influence. (Stokely Carmichael). A more radical message was for black people to claim economic and political power in areas where they made a majority of the population. Huey Newton and Bobby Seale called for release of those arrested at Watts Riots as police had caused aggression.
What was the NOI? How was it set and how popular did it get with leadership changes?
Nation of Islam established by Wallace Fard Muhammed in 1930 who saw black origins as a Shabazz tribe who created the white race and enslaved them, a morally inferior race. Elijah Muhammed took over power in 1934 and set a Chicago temple for the NOI, gaining 250,000 members for the group. He promoted purity, abstaining from substances and jazz/gambling which were vices for African Americans in North.
What was an impact NOI had on black crime?
NOI encouraged black convicts not to reoffend. In Temple Number Seven 90% of attendees were African American, hardly any reoffended.
Outline Malcolm X’s life
Malcolm X – Black Legion torched his father’s home and he mysterious died when Malcolm X was aged 6. 3 uncles lynched. Told by teacher to give up lawyer aspirations. In 1946 he was imprisoned in NY for criminal activity. He joined NOI, quit smoking, and gave up last name Little, his slave name. In 1952 released, and became orator for NOI, between 1957-9 temples shot up from 27 to 49.
What documentary was made in 1959?
1959 Mike Wallace, CBS journalist, made documentary ‘The Hate That Hate Produced,’ but Malcolm X capitalised on presentation of the NOI and membership doubled within two months.
What criticisms did Malcolm X get?
Criticisms of Malcolm X – felt that MLK was an Uncle Tom and SNCC/NAACP had produced false American dream. MLK acting on behalf of government by promoting peace and forgiveness. In the North integration had failed with black people susceptible to vice. Called himself a Black Nationalist Freedom Fighter calling for black nationalism on 12 April 1964 Ballot or Bullet speech. Malcolm X advocated self defence and claimed it was impossible to love those who killed African Americans.
How did Malcolm X’s attitude shift?
Shift of Attitude – in 1964 Ballot or Bullet speech Malcolm X discussed voting for black politicians, rethinking integration. Considered working with SNCC and CORE alongside even MLK. Inspired by his Hajj to Mecca where he saw white people worshipping with black people. Racial harmony.
How was Malcolm X assassinated?
Assassinated in February 1965 by three men of Nation of Islam. FBI found that Muhammed ordered his death.
What was the NOI’s impact?
Impact of NOI: religious nature of the movement made it more emotionally appealing and their belief black people were chosen by Allah gave religious strength akin to the power of Southern baptism behind the SCLC and distinct from the NAACP and CORE, ideology was stronger and more isolated from white support, voter registration and political rights not a priority, efforts of King and police treatment were objects of hatred.
How did the Black Power movement develop?
Black Power movement developed as failures of MLK were seen. James Meredith who entered University of Mississippi in 1962 was shot on a civil rights march in 1966. Racial tensions had developed since federal government passed acts and SNCC member Stokely Carmichael insisted after death that black power was needed. SNCC and CORE distanced themselves from white support celebrating African culture, food, music, and hair, and making radical demand.
